Concerts in the Park
‘Tis the season for outdoor music! The Elizabeth Park Concert Series kicked off its 31st season last night, and you can catch the rest of the free, family-friendly concert series every Thursday night through Aug. 22, from 6 – 8 p.m. in Elizabeth Park. Picnicking is encouraged, and vendors will be on-site with dinner and dessert options, too. Find the full concert series lineup on page 24 in the Spring/Summer Playbook. There, you’ll also find the lineup for the free monthly concerts at Boulevard Park, which start next Friday, June 27 at 6 p.m.
City advisory group opportunities
We’re seeking community members who want to help us better understand and address our community’s diverse needs by serving on a City advisory board. These groups advise staff and other City leaders, bringing varied perspectives and lived experience for us to consider as we make decisions. We currently have vacancies for the following groups: Arts Commission, Civil Service Commission, Greenways Advisory Committee, and several others. We update our vacancy list regularly and accept applications online. Visit our Boards and Commissions page for more information.
Improving public spaces
Watermain work
Work starts next week around C Street and Irving Street as we begin the Russell-Irving Watermain Replacement Project. Residents and travelers through the area can expect some daytime single-lane closures and limits to on-street parking during construction. Water service will be maintained during the project. The project is expected to take about six months to complete as it moves from the Lettered Streets neighborhood to the Cornwall Park neighborhood.
Seasonal maintenance
With summer upon us, our crews are ramping up maintenance and cleanup efforts on our streets, sidewalks, parks and trails. You may notice crews clearing weeds and brush from streets and trails, re-striping crosswalks and lane markings, crack sealing local streets, and repairing potholes to keep roads smooth and drivable. Please slow down and drive carefully in work zones. Your attentiveness helps protect the safety of both our crews and your neighbors. If you spot something that needs attention—such as a pothole, damaged sign, graffiti on City property, trip hazard, or other maintenance issue—please let us know through SeeClickFix. It’s a quick and easy way to report concerns and help us respond more efficiently.
Teachers! Apply for this art education conference
The Whatcom Museum is partnering with five other regional museums and the National Gallery of Art on an art education conference, Teaching the Whole Student Through Art. K-12 teachers in Whatcom and Skagit Counties are invited to apply through June 30. The conference runs Sept. 19-20 in Reno, Nev., and will provide 10 teachers from our region with tools and resources to incorporate art education into their classroom curricula. Teachers of any subject can apply. Travel costs and hotel accommodations are included, and teachers will earn 15 professional development hours plus a stipend for a substitute teacher to cover their classroom absence. Conference details and application requirements are on the National Gallery’s website.
Library Card Night at Bellingham Bells June 26
Kick off Summer Reading with a Library party at the ballpark. Show your library card at the Joe Martin Field gate on June 26 for a free general admission ticket to the Bellingham Bells home game versus the Wenatchee Applesox. One ticket per library card. All ages welcome. Gates open at 5:30 pm. First pitch at 6:35 pm.
